December 2020

If you are diabetic experiencing foot ulcers, corns, or calluses and want to treat your diabetic foot ulcer treatment in Maryland? Read this article now!

How To Treat a Diabetic Foot Ulcer

All diabetics are at a higher risk for infections and diabetic foot ulcers than their non-diabetic counterparts. As a diabetic, it’s important to keep your feet in good condition and to perform regular self-inspections. If gone undetected or left untreated, diabetic foot ulcers can lead to several other health complications. Diabetic foot ulcers can grow in size, reduce foot function, develop an infection, and in some cases, they can even require an amputation. However, with timely and adequate treatment, diabetic foot ulcers can be healed. If you develop a sore or ulcer on your foot, it’s important to see a wound care specialist as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. The longer you wait to seek foot ulcer treatment, the more challenging it can be to heal the wound.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

When treating diabetic foot ulcers, it’s important to take note of each of your symptoms and act quickly. If you experience numbness in the surrounding area or it begins to blacken, you must seek immediate attention from a wound care specialist, as the diabetic foot ulcer may have become infected. Your wound care specialist may choose to use foot braces, compression wraps, or casts to treat your wound. Infected wounds can be treated by disinfecting the skin around the ulcer, using dressings treated with calcium alginates to inhibit bacterial growth, and enzyme foot baths. For persistent wounds, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be used to accelerate healing. If left untreated, foot ulcers can cause you to develop abscesses and spread throughout your feet and legs, which may only be treatable by surgery, amputation, or artificial skin replacements.

Diabetic foot ulcers can take several weeks to properly heal. While undergoing treatment, it’s vital that you let your feet rest and follow your recommended treatment. You should avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on your feet by walking as little as possible and avoiding shoes that place pressure on your feet. High blood sugar can also contribute to a longer wound healing process. During your treatment process, carefully follow your recommended diet regimen and consult your wound care specialist if any new symptoms develop or if the wound seems to be regressing.

Post Treatment

Once healed, you can avoid future diabetic foot ulcers by taking preventative measures. Washing your feet daily, keeping them moisturized, trimming your toenails, and changing your socks frequently are just some of the ways in which you can prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Regularly wear properly-fitting shoes, and consult your podiatrist if you experience corns or calluses. Your wound care specialist can recommend appropriate footwear for diabetics to aid in the prevention of further injuries or diabetic foot ulcers.

The key to recovery when treating a diabetic foot ulcer is timing. The sooner you seek attention from a wound care specialist in Maryland, the lower your chances of infection.